Enhancement of the antimicrobial property of cotton fabric using plasma and enzyme pre-treatments

The synergetic effect of low temperature plasma and enzyme treatments on the physico-chemical properties of cotton fabrics was investigated. The fabrics were treated with DC air plasma (P), cellulase enzyme (E), enzyme preceded by plasma (PE) and plasma preceded by enzyme (EP). The anti-microbial activity of the treated cotton fabrics was assessed after processing with neem leaf extract. The physical and chemical changes on the surface of fabrics due to the treatments were investigated using SEM and UATR-FTIR analyses, respectively. The carboxyl content was estimated quantitatively and the presence of aldehyde was determined. The EP treated sample was found to have higher concentration of C=O group when compared to the other samples. EP treated fabrics showed 100% bacterial reduction against Staphylococcus aureus and 98% against Escherichia coli organism. These finished fabrics were durable with anti-microbial activity around 95% up to 30 washing cycles. Air permeability of the fabrics was determined before and after anti-microbial finish and the results are discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.